Vango Kit Review

 

Honest reviews are what dreams are made of, so here we are... an honest review of a Vango Nitestar Alpha 450 sleeping bag and a Vango Trek Pro 3 Short self inflating mat.

The Vango S.I.M (self inflating mat) seems robust, good quality and instructions are easy to follow. It took a while to self inflate due to it being the first time used but it got there, needed a few breaths in but we were ok with that.  The safety lock on the mat is sturdy and it kept inflated which is the main object.  

It packed away very easily and the bag it came in was on the large side which is fine.  Slept soundly but the other half said he could do with extra padding (but I guess that is because the old bones need extra support haha) -  I have slept on these in the past with no problems. However, I do prefer a bit more comfort as a female side sleeper... we change we evolve, much like the camping equipment, I guess.

All in all, a decent quality S.I.M. packs away small, does what it says on the packet.  Purchasable from the usual haunts both online and shop wise.

The Vango Nitestar Alpha 450 (prototype)

The (prototype) Vango Nightstar Alph 450 is a 4 season sleeping bag - it is made up of Alpha insulation and I can confirm hat is a toasty number to sleep in.  from -9 to 15 degrees Celsius.  The night temp dropped to about 9 degrees when we were out and I was very warm for the duration.  Didn't have the zip fastened as I was warm with it open.  The total weight is 2300g so not the lightest but it is fine and dandy for car / van camping. 

The issue I had with it was that each time I  turned in the sleeping bag, its inner material clung to my clothes and followed me (If that makes sense)  not in a ghostly haunting way... maybe a sleeping bag liner would stop this happening.  Apart from that all was well and I'm looking forward to using it again.

Many thanks for reading our blogs... until the next one...

No Brand Sleeping Mat

 

Thought we’d try a non branded sleeping mat, took the risk and shiver my timers it wasn’t bad at all.

We used an inflating device (plugged into the car or Jackery) one of the nozzles that comes with it were perfect to inflate it.  The valve is one which doesn’t let all the air escape once the inflating device is removed ‘winner winner chicken dinner’.

First impression - sturdy, well made and I like the colour 🤭.  First nights sleep was great, it was a solid 10/10 for me being a side sleeper.  

When you get in or out the airbed didn’t immediately plunge to the ground.  This is because it has small pockets of air over a large area which is distributed very well.  No air leaks either.

Night two, held its own with no need to re inflate which tick my boxes.  Another great nights sleep with no discomfort on the aging hips and shoulders.

Easy to deflate with no faffing.  Rolled up well and was able to get it into its drawstring bag no trouble.

Would I recommend it, as a budget sleeping mat yes, think it was just short of £20 on Temu.

Would be handy to pop in a B.O.B. or in the boot of the car ‘just in case’.

Weight and size in the photo.

Have a great a day from us at N.O.G.